TOP QUESTIONS WE HEAR FROM PATIENTS
What kinds of eye exams are there? Prices vary on the type of exam performed
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Medical office visits (depending on the complexity of the exam; visits include issues such as red eye, foreign body removal, etc. )
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Routine Eye Exams which includes the optomap (retinal photo of your eyes) and dilation if doctor recommended.
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Contact lens exams costs depend on complexity of the exam and kind of contacts fit and follow ups required.
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Contact lens (CL) fitting is an additional fee. The price varies depending on the complexity of the CL fitting (i.e. - astigmatism, monovision, multifocal).
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Exact price amounts cannot be determined until exam has been completed, but we will do our best to give you an accurate range of probable cost.
How much is my copay?
Each insurance plan varies. In order to expedite your visit, your insurance benefits can be verified before your scheduled appointment. Please provide insurance name, ID number, policy holder information and patient name & DOB. Give us a call at 361.929.5319 so that we can get a head start on the verification process.
Why is there an additional fee for contact lenses? I just want contacts, not glasses.
Ocular health always comes first. A routine eye exam must be completed FIRST in order to ensure your eyes are healthy enough for contact lenses. Additional measurements like the curvature of the front part of your eye help the doctor determine which contact lens will fit you best. Each year your eyes can change, which means we once again need to perform a routine health check prior to the CL fitting. Other eye conditions, such as dry eye, may also need treatment before proceeding to the CL fitting.
What is the dilation for?
The purpose of the dilation is to enable the doctor to obtain a better assessment of the health of the back of your eyes. Your vision will be impaired, mainly at near distances, for approximately 4-6 hours. Care should be taken when driving, and it is preferred that you bring a driver on the day of the exam. Dilation is performed at the doctor's discretion.
We now have the OPTOMAP, which is a wide-field digital camera that takes a simple picture of the back of the eye. It only takes a few seconds, and no drops are needed in most cases. We can monitor your health even better with the optomap (including diabetes, high blood pressure, glaucoma, macular degeneration, holes, tears, retinal detachments.) Additional fees apply.